Arthur was educated at Westminster School, and at the University College Hospital, qualifying in 1893. He had already seen active service in the South African War, leaving his appointment at the district hospital in Hemel Hempstead, he joined the Hertfordshire Company of the Imperial Yeomanry as a trooper. He first encountered action at Princeloo's Surrender and then at the relief of Hoar's Laager. He then joined the South African Constabulary as a Surgeon-Captain under General Baden-Powell. On 8th February 1902, he was awarded the Victoria Cross "For great devotion to duty and self-sacrifice at Vlakfonein, 8 Feb 1902, when he went out into the firing-line to dress a wounded man under very heavy fire from about forty Boers only 100 yards off. When he had done all he could for him, he went over to a badly wounded officer, and while trying to place him in a more comfortable position he was shot about three times. He only gave up when thoroughly exhausted, and then he refused water until other wounded men had been served." Whilst recovering from his wounds, Arthur studied and then passed the F.R.C.S. in 1903. He then took up the appointment of Chief Medical Officer of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway. Arthur also saw active service in 1912, when the Balkan War began. He sailed to Europe and served with the British Red Cross with the Montenegran Army. He was present at the fighting at Scutari and Tarabosh Mountain, and for his work there was awarded the Order of the Montenegran Red Cross. He then returned to his work in India. At the outbreak of the Great War, Arthur again left for Europe and was posted, in the rank of Lieutenant, to the 5th Field Ambulance, serving with 'C' Section. He was awarded a Bar to his Victoria Cross during the First Battle of Ypres - "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty throughout the campaign, especially during the period 29 Oct to 3 Nov 1914, near Zonnebeke, in rescuing, whilst exposed to constant fire, a large number of the wounded who were lying close to the enemy's trenches." - Arthur was the first person to ever win a Bar to the Victoria Cross. In March 1915, he was promoted to Captain, and then Major in the November the same year. He was also awarded a Gold Medal by the British Medical Association. On 3rd April 1917 he was appointed Commanding Officer of a Field Ambulance serving at the rank of acting Lieutenant Colonel (46th Field Ambulance), he also served as Commanding Officer to a Casualty Clearing Station, when he was Mentioned in Despatches. At the end of the war he returned to his work at the Bengal-Nagpur Railway. In 1937 he retired to his estate at Marshalls near Ware, Hertfordshire. He saw service again during World War Two when he commanded an ARP Unit. Arthur died at Ware, Hertforshire. He was the fifth son of Stephen Martin-Leake of Thor Hall, Essex. [Photograph courtesy of Simon Gildea]